Strong Yield Potential in Indiana, Nebraska

More than 120 crop scouts are journeying into Indiana and Illinois today on the eastern leg and Nebraska on the western leg of the Pro Farmer Midwest Crop Tour. So far, scouts report good-looking crops, along with a few concerns.

Chip Flory, Pro Farmer editorial director and host of daily radio program Market Rally, says he hasn’t seen a lot of disease today, on his trip through Nebraska. "Three weeks ago everyone was worried about this bean crop, but it is looking good now."

The one downside he’s seen is weed resistance. "Nebraska is developing a waterhemp problem," he says. "In some fields it will do some damage to the yields."

On the eastern leg, Brian Grete, Pro Farmer Editor, says plant health and soil moisture is much better today, compared to what he saw yesterday. "The crop is further along," he says. "Yields have been steady, but nothing spectacular."

@JasonFranckNC: Too much residue caused us to see our lowest yield in butler County, NE. Hard to keep ear counts up with gaps #pftour14

@BetsyJibben: This corn is still in milking stage near Sheridan #pftour14

Even though crop scouts measured good crops on the first day of the 2014 Pro Farmer Midwest Crop Tour, they also noted concerns. Delayed planting and cool temperatures have stunted crop development, resulting in a need for more time and moisture ahead of harvest.

On Monday evening, Pro Farmer released the official results from Ohio and South Dakota. Ohio samples resulted in an average corn yield of 182.11 bu. per acre and an average soybean pod count of 1,342.42 in a 3'x'3 square. South Dakota samples resulted in an average corn yield of 152.71 bu. per acre and an average soybean pod count of 1,057.80 in a 3'x'3 square.

Crop scouts will meet tonight in Bloomington, Ill., on the eastern leg and Nebraska City, Neb., on the western leg. Data from the 12 routes on the eastern leg and 10 routes on the western leg will be tallied and released tonight.

During the tour, which runs from Aug. 18 through Aug. 21, you can stay up-to-date with yield estimates and findings at www.Profarmer.com and www.agweb.com. Later an annual wrap-up summary appears in the September issue of Top Producer.